MANSEHRA: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Ghulam Ali on Tuesday said that he would follow the high court’s orders on elections for the provincial assembly.

“We have been following court orders, even those of subordinate judiciary, in letter and spirit. If the Peshawar High Court orders us to hold [provincial assembly] elections, we’ll accept the orders wholeheartedly and act accordingly,” Mr Ali told reporters after attending the 12th convocation of the Hazara University here.

The governor said that the Election Commission of Pakistan didn’t bow down to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and asked him to consult the caretaker government in the province on elections, so he would follow suit.

He said that though elections were the “need of the hour” in the province, they should take place only after political parties developed a consensus about them.

Mr Ali said that the holding of elections in line with the Constitution was imperative for the elimination of militancy from the province but necessary measures should be taken for violence-free electioneering.

He said that if the police and other departments were prepared to do their respective duties regarding next elections, they should inform him and authorities about it.

“If they’re ready for polls, I, too, am ready,” he said.

The governor wondered if former chief minister and PTI leader Mahmood Khan was able to canvas for himself in the current delicate law and order situation.

Earlier, the governor told the convocation that development of science, technology and agriculture sectors was imperative for the country’s prosperity.

He urged students to excel in those fields to help the country overcome economic and other challenges.

Mr Ali gave away degrees to over 1,000 graduates from the 2017-2001 academic sessions.

Higher Education Commission chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmad and Hazara University vice-chancellor Dr Jamil Ahmad also addressed the convocation.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2023